Georgia Personal Injury Trial Attorneys

Premises Liability: Am I Liable to Trespassers?

By: Fry | Goehring

If you own or control premises and an individual suffers harm while on those premises you may be liable for any damages or injuries. The question of negligence is very important when it comes to premise liability. The defendant may have duties to the plaintiff; and if he is found to have been negligent in those duties, the plaintiff may pursue compensation. Georgia Code Title 51 deals with the status of invitees, licensees, or trespassers and whether the owner, occupier or leaser owes a duty of care.

Invitees and licensees enjoy the status of expressed or implied permission to enter a property. A trespasser does not have those permissions and neither does the owner of the property owe the same duty of care. There is one exception to this where the trespasser is minor, in which case he is owed the same duty of care as an invitee.

However, owners do owe trespassers a duty even not intentionally, willfully, or wantonly causing harm. When it comes to personal injury claims, the questions of the status of the plaintiff and whether the owner was negligent in his duty must be addressed to establish whether liability exists.

Personal Injury Claim

If you, as a property owner or operator, are found to be negligent in repairing a known or obvious hazard, an invitee may sue you for compensation. However, negligence on the part of the property owner is not enough to support a personal injury case. The plaintiff must show that he has suffered injuries because of the negligence. Incidents that cause injury may include slip and falls, parking lot accidents, negligent security robberies, and dog bite injuries.

Under premise liability, you are responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for invitees and other visitors. Negligence is broad in scope when it comes to premise liability, so owners should always consult with an experienced lawyer if an invitee suffers injury.

Fry | Goehring

Fry | Goehring represents clients who have suffered personal injuries. We provide a free consultation that is designed to give plaintiffs a chance to share the details of their accident, so we may determine if there is a case for pursuing compensation. Every citizen in Georgia deserves fair and professional support when an injury occurs on business premises.

Pursuing compensation is your right when you have been injured while visiting premises with implied or direct permission. Both parties can build a case based on the available evidence with the support of their lawyers. In the case of the plaintiff, Fry | Goehring brings a wealth of experience to the table that will help you fight for compensation to cover your injuries and damages.

If you have suffered injuries while on business premises and believe you have a case for compensation, take advantage of a free consultation from The Fry Law firm in Georgia. We understand the challenges you have faced because of your accident. We will stand by you every step of the way.